NBN satellite plans

Can you get unlimited data with satellite internet in Australia?

Households in rural and regional Australia can finally access unlimited data by signing up to an NBN Sky Muster Premium plan.

This means managing data allowances for specific activities will be a thing of the past and download speed caps won't apply to streaming video during peak times.

Signing up to the plan will also give access to faster bursts of speed (up to 100Mbps) if network capacity allows.

You can use the filters in our table to narrow down results to show just unlimited data plans.

What satellite NBN speeds can you get?

While fixed-line connections offer 6 NBN speed tiers, satellite NBN can only access 3:

• NBN 12 - 12Mbps maximum download speed, 1Mbps maximum upload speed
• NBN 25 - 25Mbps maximum download speed, 5Mbps maximum upload speed
• NBN 100 - 100Mbps maximum download speed, 5Mbps maximum upload speed

The type of speeds you'll end up getting will depend on your provider and network congestion during peak hours.

For example, the new Sky Muster Plus Premium plan can get you speed bursts of up to 100Mbps but that's not guaranteed - it depends on when the network has capacity.

Unlike fixed-line NBN plans where providers offer typical evening speeds that take congestion into account, satellite plans don't offer the same oversight.

Satellite plans are more prone to congestion and providers can't reliably advertise an accurate estimate.

Is satellite internet faster than the NBN?

NBN satellite is comparable to the NBN's fixed-line technologies - so NBN 12 to NBN 100 meaning you can get a maximum of 100Mbps speeds.

In comparison, Starlink users in Australia experienced median download speeds of 106.43Mbps, according to Ookla's Q3 and Q4 report for 2022. You can get upload speeds of up to 25Mbps.

Which providers offer satellite internet plans in Australia?

There are 9 internet providers that offer NBN satellite plans in Australia:

• Activ8me
• Ant Communications
• Clear Broadband
• IPStar
• Skymesh
• Southern Phone
• Bordernet
• iiNet
• Westnet

What is Sky Muster NBN?

Sky Muster NBN is the entry level option to access satellite internet. All of your online activities will be counted towards your data cap.

You'll be able to sign up to 1 of 2 NBN speed tiers: NBN 12 (NBN Basic I) which offers up to 12Mbps download 1Mbps upload speed, or NBN 25 (NBN Basic II) offers up to 25Mbps download and 1Mbps upload speeds.

It's best suited to budget-conscious households with prices starting at $35 a month. Or, if you want a bigger data allowance for streaming specifically.

What is Sky Muster Plus NBN?

Sky Muster Plus NBN is a step up as it allows you to access unmetered data for a bunch of online activities excluding streaming and VPN traffic during midnight to 4pm.

You also get access to faster NBN speeds - up to 50Mbps download and 5Mbps upload speeds. It's a bit more expensive, but the additional costs can be justified if you want data-free access on your internet plan.

The main caveat is that you may be subjected to NBN speed shaping where your speeds are slowed down when you exceed the data allocation on your plan.

What is Sky Muster Plus Premium?

The Sky Muster Plus Premium plan is a new addition to the mix. It was introduced in June 2023 to bring faster internet speeds and uncapped data to households in regional and rural Australia.

Prices are roughly around the $100 per month mark and will suit people looking for better speeds for various online activities. You can get speed bursts of up to 100Mbps when the network has capacity.

Keep in mind that this means you'll temporarily receive faster speeds - you don't be getting 100Mbps at all times of the day.

How much does it cost to install NBN satellite?

In most cases, standard NBN satellite installations are free, with no setup or activation fees. Both the satellite dish and modem are provided free of charge from NBN Co.

Your upfront costs when you first sign up will include the first month fee of your satellite internet plan and payment for a Wi-Fi router if you can't BYO.

The router is required if you need multiple devices connected to the internet. The exception is if you just want satellite internet for your computer, in which case you can easily plug in the ethernet cable directly and skip buying the router.

• Good to know: A modem is what connects your home to your internet service provider while a router helps all your wired and wireless devices get connected to the internet and communicate with each other.

Is NBN satellite any good?

In terms of the NBN technologies available, NBN satellite plans sit at the bottom tier. However, those living in regional, rural or remote areas of Australia may have it as the only option to connect to the internet.

Pros

• It reaches parts of Australia where other internet connections aren't available
• Offers a more stable internet connection compared to mobile broadband

Cons

• Speeds are slower and cap out at 100Mbps on a good day if you're signed up to a fast plan
• There's only 9 providers to choose from which means prices are less competitive than fixed-line NBN
• Costs can get expensive if you need better speed or data allowances during peaks hours

Our expert says

"The latest introduction of the Sky Muster Plus Premium plan is a step closer to bridging the digital divide between metro and regional or rural areas. It also means NBN satellite plans are now giving Starlink a proper fight in terms of upfront costs."

Mariam Gabaji

Senior Utilities Editor & Tech Expert

Is there an alternative to satellite NBN in Australia?

You can sign up to Elon Musk's Starlink service if you're looking for an alternative to satellite NBN.

It offers unlimited data and speeds that average around the 106Mbps mark. The main caveat is that upfront costs can set you back around $1,000 unless there's a deal running that'll cut the cost of its hardware.

Frequently asked questions

• What is satellite NBN?

  NBN's satellite internet service offers regional, rural and remote options a slightly more reliable chance to get online. These areas don't have access to the NBN's high speed fixed line connections and mobile broadband can be unstable.

  The service operates via two "Sky Muster" satellites that are owned by NBN Co. These relay signals between houses and a fixed tracking station on the ground to allow internet access to households.

  In order to connect to the NBN this way, your home must have a satellite dish installed on its home and have a modem alongside it. You'll also need a Wi-Fi router if you want to connect more than a single computer to the internet.

• Is satellite NBN the same as Starlink?

  Satellite NBN is a more conventional setup as opposed to Starlink.

  The key difference between satellite NBN and Starlink is that with the latter, you can experience faster internet speeds and decreased latency as the satellites orbit the earth at lower altitudes.

  NBN's Sky Muster also has 2 satellites in high orbit providing broadband services to those in regional and rural Australia as opposed to 3,800 Starlink satellites at the time of writing.

• Can I stream Netflix with satellite internet?

  Yes, you can stream Netflix with satellite internet.

  You'll be able to comfortably stream Netflix in Standard Definition (SD) on the Sky Muster plan as it requires 5Mbps speeds. If you're after High Definition (HD) quality you may experience some issues as the minimum required speed for that is 25Mbps.

  For comfortable HD streaming you may need to sign up to Sky Muster Plus or Sky Muster Plus Premium.

  Even if you meet the criteria, there's a good chance you may not achieve the maximum available download speeds especially if you're streaming during peak hours when there's a high chance of network congestion. This happens when more people are online at the same time.

• Do you need a modem with NBN satellite?

  You do need a modem and dish to setup NBN satellite. Both will be provided to you free of cost.

  What you will need to pay for is a Wi-Fi router if you want more than just your computer connected to the internet. You can bring your own if it's compatible or buy one from your provider.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Michelle Kwong as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Mariam Gabaji

Senior Utilities Editor & Tech Expert

Mariam Gabaji is a journalist with 13 years of experience, specialising in consumer topics like mobile services and energy costs. Her work appears in the ABC, Yahoo Finance, 9News, The Guardian, SBS, 7News, A Current Affair and Money Magazine. Mariam holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and was a finalist for the 2024 IT Journalism Award for Best Telecommunications Journalist. See full bio

Mariam's expertise

Mariam has written 329 Finder guides across topics including:

• Energy
• Mobile
• Broadband
• Consumer tech